IJSTE - International Journal of Science Technology & Engineering | Volume 3 | Issue 03 | September 2016

ISSN (online): 2349-784X

Experimental Analysis of Flexural Behaviour

and Crack Pattern of RCC Composite Beam
Mita Ann Zachariah
PG Student
Department of Civil Engineering
Saintgits College of Engineering, Kottayam, Kerala, India

Sunitha A Daniel
Assistant Professor
Department of Civil Engineering
Saintgits College of Engineering, Kottayam, Kerala, India

Abstract
In recent days the problem faced by the construction industry is acute shortage of raw materials. We have responsibility to reduce
the effect the application of concrete materials to environmental impact. The concrete should be used as efficiently as much as
possible. In structural design, an ideal situation in material saving is to reduce the weight of the structure without having to
compromise on its strength and serviceability. Partial replacement of the concrete below the neutral axis is an idea that can create
reduction in weight and savings in materials. In this paper, an experimental investigation is on partial replacement of concrete
below the neutral axis by placing bricks with spacing and without spacing. Specimens of solid RC beams and two composite beams
with different variations are casted and tested under two-point flexure loading. The results of Load deflection relationship, Load
strain relationship, first crack, Ultimate load, concrete saving and reduction of Self weight of the beam are compared and effects
are studied.
Keywords: Composite Beam, Neutral Axis, Light Weight Material, Self-Weight, Mix Design, Crack Pattern
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I.

INTRODUCTION

Reinforced cement concrete is one of the important component in the construction industry. Now a days, the use of concrete
increased very much. In this paper an attempt is made for reduction of concrete and self-weight of the beam by replacing the
concrete below neutral axis. However, concrete have low tensile strength and when a concrete member is subjected to flexure, the
region under the neutral axis of the cross-section is considered ineffective when it is in tension at ultimate limit states. The
behaviour of brick and RCC composite beams is same to that of reinforced concrete beams. Therefore, bricks are used within the
un-utilized area. Steel bars are good for tension, so placing steel bars at bottom of beams will resist the tensile bending stresses
and also overcome the tensile weakness of the bricks. It should be noted that the bonding between the steel bar, brick and concrete
should be good for avoiding the slip between them. In this study by reducing weight of the beam and saving quantity of concrete
by saving cement reduced the greenhouse gasses emissions. So it is environmental friendly.
II. LITERATURE REVIEW
Table 1
Literature Review
Author
Piyush Kumar et. al.,
S. Aswathy Kumar et
al.,

Year
2015

R Prabhakara et. al.,

2015

B S Karthik et al.,

2014

Dubey S. K et. al.,

2012

W. Godwin
Jesudhason et al.,

2013

2015

Summary
Conducted a study carried out on Crack Pattern of RCC and RCC Composite Beams.
An experimental investigation on partial replacement of concrete below the neutral axis by creating air
voids using polythene balls is discussed.
Studied the flexural behaviour of the normal beam and steel composite beam with different configurations
of steel.
Compared the behaviour of the beam with partially replaced beam of different grades of concrete below
and above the neutral axis.
By the method of initial functions, it analyzed that behaviour of reinforced concrete brick-filled beams is
similar to that of reinforced concrete beams.
Studied on replacing the portion below the neutral axis of the beam with expanded polystyrene sheet (EPS).
In this the flexural behaviour of beams are studied.

III. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE WORK

Objectives of the Project
Objective is to study the method by replacing the concrete below neutral axis by bricks without affecting the geometry of the
section and to compare the variations in placing the bricks at the tension zone of the beam. This is an alternative to save the use of
concrete and also self-weight of the beam can be reduced.
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Experimental Analysis of Flexural Behaviour and Crack Pattern of RCC Composite Beam
(IJSTE/ Volume 3 / Issue 03 / 009)

Limitations of the Study

The project was done using beam size of 0.2m x 0.23m x 0.3m.
The support conditions provided was simply supported.
Size of the brick used for the replacement is 0.19m x 0.09m x 0.06m.
Mix of M20 proportion is used.
Methodology

Methodology of the work consists of

Testing of materials
Selection of proper grade and mix design of M20
Test on Fresh concrete and Hardened concrete
Design of beam
Casting, curing and testing of beams
Result comparison
IV. MATERIAL TEST

Test
Cement
Cement
Fine Aggregate
Coarse Aggregate
Coarse Aggregate
Coarse Aggregate
Brick

Table 2
Material Test
Material
Equipment Used
Specific Gravity
Le Chateliers Flask
Consistency Test
Vicat Apparatus
Specific Gravity
Pycnometer
Specific Gravity
Wire Basket
Crushing Value
Cylindrical Measure And Plunger
Water Absorption Test
Vessel
Water Absorption Test
Vessel

Values Obtained
3.2
34
2.96
2.92
32.58%
10%
12.3%

V. MIX DESIGN

Cement (kg/m3)
415.12

Table - 3
Design mix proportion of M20 mix (1 m3 of concrete)
Fine Aggregate (kg/m3) Coarse Aggregate (kg/m3) Water- Cement Ratio
641.52

1350.65

0.47

Mix Ratio
1:1.55:3.25

VI. EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION

Three specimens were casted and tested. Three of these experimental specimens were singly reinforced concrete beams with
variation parameters i.e.
Control Beam
Beam with bricks are placed below the neutral axis without spacing
Beam with bricks are placed below the neutral axis with spacing.
The beams were designed as under reinforced section according to IS 456-2000. The reinforcement for the beam specimens was
2 nos. of 12mm dia. at tension zone and 2 hanger bars of 10mmdia. The shear reinforcement provided three beams are of 10mm
dia. stirrups at 150mm spacing. Beam was designed as 5 T loading. The designations of the control beam specimens are appended
with (Beam A), while those of the hollow beams are appended with (Composite Beam B and Composite Beam C respectively).
All the beams were tested under two point loading of 50T loading frame.

Fig. 1: Reinforcement Details

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Experimental Analysis of Flexural Behaviour and Crack Pattern of RCC Composite Beam
(IJSTE/ Volume 3 / Issue 03 / 009)

Fig. 2: Preparation of reinforcement and formwork

Fig. 3: Casting of beam with bricks are placed below the neutral axis without spacing

Fig. 4: Casting of beam with bricks are placed below the neutral axis with spacing

Test Procedure
The flexural strength of the specimens was tested using a 50T loading frame. The effective span of the test specimen was taken as
1800mm which achieved by using cast iron support. The flexural strength of the beam is done as Two Point loading using the jack
attached to the loading frame. The behavior of beam is keenly observed from beginning to the failure. The loading was stopped
when the beam was just on the verge of collapse. The first crack propagation and its development and propagation are observed
keenly. The values of load applied, strain and deflection are noted directly and further the plot of load vs. deflection is performed
which is taken as the output. The load in ton was applied with uniformly increasing the value of the load and the strain and
deflection under the different applied loads have been noted down. The applied load increased up to the breaking point or till the
failure of the material.

Fig. 4: Flexural Strength Test Setup

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Experimental Analysis of Flexural Behaviour and Crack Pattern of RCC Composite Beam
(IJSTE/ Volume 3 / Issue 03 / 009)

VII. TEST RESULTS

Load vs. Deflection Behaviour
Due to increase in load, deflection of the beams starts, up to certain level the load vs. deflection graph will be linear that is load
will be directly proportional to deflection. The load values and corresponding deflection of solid control beam and beam with
hollow neutral axis is given in graphs below.

Fig. 5: Combined graph of Load Vs Deflection at point A

Fig. 6: Combined graph of Load Vs Deflection at point B

Fig. 7: Combined graph of Load Vs Deflection at point C

On comparison of load deflection graph of all three beams at right support (Point A) Fig 5, shows linear deflection curve upto
5T of load. Composite Beam B shows more deflection compared to other two beams and beam A and C have similar curve pattern.
For the load deflection behaviour of centre point Fig 6, shows linear deflection pattern proportional to increase in load till 5T.
Here composite Beam B and C have more deflection compared to the Beam A. Similarly, Fig 8.6 shows same curve pattern for
Beam B and Beam C for the load deflection pattern at left hand support. Linearity of curve is till the 4.5T load. Here composite
Beam B and C have more deflection compared to the Beam A.
From all three graphs it is clear that normal beam and composite beam has got similar load deflection behaviour. Therefore
composite beams can be preferred.
Load vs. Strain Behaviour
Strain was measured at left support, centre point and right support of the beam. At Left and right support strain is measured
diagonally and centre point is measured as horizontally by using strain gauge. The Load vs. Strain graph was plotted taking strain
along the x- axis and Load along the y- axis. The behaviour is more or less linear to certain limit which obeys Hook law and curve
is significantly non linear and reaches its peak at maximum sustainable stress.

Fig. 8: Points which strain values had taken for plotting the Load vs. Strain graph for all three beams

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Experimental Analysis of Flexural Behaviour and Crack Pattern of RCC Composite Beam
(IJSTE/ Volume 3 / Issue 03 / 009)

(a)

(b)
Fig. 9: Load vs. Strain behaviour for Beam A at three different positions A, B and C

(c)

(a)

(b)
Fig. 10: Load vs. Strain behaviour for Beam B at three different positions A, B and C

(c)

(a)

(b)
Fig. 11: Load vs. Strain behaviour for Beam C at three different positions A, B and C

(c)

First Crack Load and Ultimate load

Ultimate strength of beams under Two-point flexural test was confirmed through recording the maximum load indicated by load
dial, but the cracking load was specified with developing the first crack on the concrete. It was found that there is not much
difference in the load carrying capacity of solid control beam section and that of beam section with bricks on neutral axis. The
comparison of First Crack and Ultimate Load results between the solid control beam and beams with bricks below neutral axis is
shown in graphs.
Table - 4
First Crack
Type of Beam
Control Beam (Beam A)
Beam Without Brick Spacing (Beam B)
Beam with Brick Spacing (Beam C)

First Crack
5.5t
4.5T
4.5T

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Experimental Analysis of Flexural Behaviour and Crack Pattern of RCC Composite Beam
(IJSTE/ Volume 3 / Issue 03 / 009)

Fig. 12: Graphical Representation of First Crack Load

Table - 5
Ultimate Load
Type of Beam
Control Beam (Beam A)
Beam Without Brick Spacing (Beam B)
Beam with Brick Spacing (Beam C)

Ultimate Load
15.5T
14.5T
14T

Fig. 13: Graphical Representation of Ultimate Load

Crack Pattern
The initial cracks were occurred at about 15% to 30% of the ultimate load. It was noticed that first crack always appeared close to
the midspan of the beam. The most of the cracks are being seen at point L/3 and 2L/3 where load is also applied and small cracks
appear near L/3 and 5L/6 of beams for both RCC and composite beams. All the beams of composite shows large deflection and
cracks with respect to the RCC beam.

(a)

(b)

(c)
Fig. 14: (a) Crack Pattern of Control Beam Specimen (b) Crack Pattern of Brick with Spacing below Neutral Axis (c) Crack Pattern of Beam
with Brick without Spacing below Neutral Axis

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Experimental Analysis of Flexural Behaviour and Crack Pattern of RCC Composite Beam
(IJSTE/ Volume 3 / Issue 03 / 009)

Concrete Saving
If we consider the beam in this study, the dimensions are of length = 2m, breadth = 0.23m and depth = 0.3m with brick having
length = 0.19m, breadth =0.09m and depth = 0.06m.
Table - 6
Calculation of reduction of concrete
Type of Specimen
Volume of Beam
Control Beam
0.138cu.m
Specimen with Brick Without Spacing Below Neutral Axis
0.014364cu.m
Specimen with Brick with Spacing Below Neutral Axis
0.01026cu.m

% Of Reduction of Concrete (

* 100)

10.4%
7.43%

Self-Weight
Table - 7
Calculation of dead load of the beam
Type of Specimen

Weight of The Brick

Number of
Bricks

Specimen of Concrete Fill with

Reinforcement

Total
Weight

Weight
Reduction

Percentage of
Reduction

373.65kg

Specimen with Brick Without Spacing

Below Neutral Axis

1.9kg

14

361.358kg

12.29kg

3.28%

Specimen with Brick With Spacing Below

Neutral Axis

1.9kg

10

364.87kg

8.78kg

2.34%

VIII. CONCLUSIONS
Based on the experimental study for the flexural behaviour of the beam with composite beams, the results obtained are concluded
as:
1) Flexural behaviour of the composite beam having bricks below the neutral axis shows very close resemblances to the
conventional beam.
2) Composite beam has withstood the same quantity of load as like the normal beam.
3) Composite beam without spacing for bricks have saved 10.4% of concrete in casting.
4) Similarly, Composite beam with spacing for bricks have saved 7.43% of concrete in casting.
5) Self weight of the composite beam got reduced 3.28% for brick without spacing.
6) Similarly, Self weight of the composite beam got reduced 2.34% for brick with spacing.
Thus, behaviour of composite beams has shown similar strength and characterstics to that of reinforced concrete beams.
Therefore, Brick reinforced concrete beams can be used for sustainable and environment friendly construction work as it reduces
the consumption of cement and also reduces the dead load.
Scope for Future Study
Further investigations can be carried out by placing bricks only on neutral axis. Comparative study can be done by keeping different
size of bricks in vertically and their flexural and shear can be evaluated. Several other parameters can be tested like impact
resistance, abrasion, crack width etc. It can also be studied analytically using software using ANSYS. The work can be extended
in other mixes also.
REFERENCES
[1]
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[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]
[8]

Piyush Kumar and Mr. R.D. Patel., 2015, Comparative Study on Crack Pattern of RCC and Brick & RCC Composite Beams, IJSRD - International Journal
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Patel Rakesh, Dubey S. K and Pathak K.K.., 2012, Brick filled reinforced concrete composite beams, IJEAT International Journal of Advanced Engineering
Technology| Vol.3/ 2 124-126.
Piyush Kumar and Mr. R.D. Patel, 2015, Brick filled reinforced concrete composite beams IJSETR International Journal of Scientific Engineering and
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K.Vinayaki and R.Theenathayalan, 2015, Experimental and analytical study on flexural behaviour of concrete filled GFRP Box Beams, International Journal
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Ade S. Wahyuni, Hamid Nikraz, and Vanissorn Vimonsatit (2012), Reinforced Concrete Beams With Lightweight Concrete Infill, Scientific Research and
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M. Nasir-uz-zaman,Saifullah and S.M.K. Uddin, (2011) Experimental and Analytical Investigation of Flexural Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Beam
International Journal of Engineering & Technology, page 146-153.

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Experimental Analysis of Flexural Behaviour and Crack Pattern of RCC Composite Beam
(IJSTE/ Volume 3 / Issue 03 / 009)
[9]

P.S. Joanna1, Jessy Rooby, Angeline Prabhavathy3, R.Preetha, C.Sivathanu pillai5(2013)-Behavior of Reinforced concrete beams with 50 percentage fly ash,
volume 4, issue 2.
[10] Apebo, N. S., Agunwamba, J. C., Ezeokonkwo, J. C. et.al, 2014 The suitability of crushed over burnt bricks as coarse aggregates for concrete, International
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[12] Ramamrutham, Design of RCC Structural Elements

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